This Heart-Pumping, 15-Minute Workout Is Perfect for Small Spaces

By , Jessica Smith, Certified Personal Trainer
Why is it that when people hear the word "cardio" the mind automatically goes to a painful hour on the treadmill or a sweat-soaked afternoon in a fitness class? Perhaps it was an elementary school gym teacher who made you believe that an hour of running several times a week was the only way to stay in shape, or maybe it's a perception that you created after walking by the exercise room at your gym and seeing everyone drenched and panting after too many burpees. 

Whatever the cause of cardio's often-bad reputation, if you want to get your heart-pumping, you don't need to carve out a full hour to reap the many physical and mental benefits of engaging in cardio training. No, that's not true at all. In fact, you only need 15 minutes. 

Using a mix of multi-muscle and multi-directional moves, this full-length home workout routine involves no floor work, includes low-impact modifications and keeps your heart rate in the endurance cardio zone. Throughout the workout, you'll also target muscles in the thighs, inner thighs, quadriceps, hamstrings, core, shoulders and more. With quick transitions between exercises my workout buddy, Peanut looking on, this is one cardio workout that will never feel boring or painful. 


Have more than 15 minutes available to sweat? Don't miss the full set of workouts in this series. Mix and match videos back-to-back to create a longer session. If you're brand new to exercise, check out beginner playlist video options, instead.

About the Author
As someone who struggled to lose weight for years, Jessica Smith found that the key to her own 40-pound weight loss was making small, healthy lifestyle changes, which led to big, lasting results. Now, as a certified wellness coach, fitness instructor and personal trainer, she has spent the last 15 years helping students and clients reach their goals in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami, and now reaches millions online through her YouTube channel and home exercise DVD series. Visit Walk on Walk Strong to learn more about her fun, results-driven programs for all levels of exercisers.